Tamper-proof cover for a container



April 7, 1965 D. D. MICHEL 3,180,532

TAMPER-PROOF COVER FOR A CONTAINER Filed June 18, 1964 INVENTOR DAVID DANIEL MICHEL ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,180,532 TAMEER-PROGIF QOVER lds'jR A CGNTAETER David Daniel Michel, Chicago, lih, msignor to The Clayton Corporation of Delaware, St. Louis, Man, a corporation of Delaware Filed June 18, 19:54, er. No. 376,151 7 Claims. (U. 222-132) The present invention relates generally to a cover for a dispenser, and more particularly to a tamper-proof cover for a valved dispenser adapted for plastic molding on a progressively stepped-back core. This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Serial Number 262,657 filed on March 4, 1963, continuing from Serial No. 803,726, filed April 2, 1959, now abandoned.

Although this invention may be described in connection with valves and containers having specific structural characteristics, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular valve, container design or to valved containers but may be used with a number of different structures.

The type of valve most commonly used to discharge fluent materials from portable pressurized containers has a noz'zle which protrudes outwardly from the mouth of the container, and the fluent materials may be discharged therethrough by the application of radial or axial pressure thereagainst. Quite often a cover member is provided to protect the valve from injury or accidental discharge, and, in the case of food stuffs such as whipped cream, a cover tends to provide protection of the valve from contamination by dirt, dust or the like. Some of such cover members are readily removed; these do not give assurance to the purchaser of the unchanged original quality and quantity of the materials at the time of purchase. Other types may not give protection from dirt, dust and moisture.

Among the objects of the present invention are the provisions of a cover: which will protect the valve and the materials dispensed therethrough from all sounces of con tamination; which will protect the valve from injury or accidental discharge; which will assure the purchaser of the cleanliness and sanitation of all portions of the valve; which assures the purchaser that at the time of purchase the fluent materials in the pressurized container are present in their original quality and quantity; which is initially tamper-proof but may be subsequently tightly re-placed on the container with ease; and which is adapted for easy molding and easy removal from the mold.

Other objects will-be seen and a full understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

The cover constructed in accordance with this invention is especially (but not exclusively) adapted for use with a container having a dispensing valve extending outwardly from the mouth of the container. It is a unique article consisting essentially of three members molded integrally: a base member, a hollow cap member, and a 360 tear strip which, as molded, connects and supports the cap member above the base, but which after being torn away, permits the cap to be inserted within and engaged to this base. Bayonet lugs, which are molded on the exterior of the cap member, enter into bayonet slots molded within the ring member. The removable tear strip has at its lower margin webs which, prior to removal, cover and protect entrant openings of the bayonet slots.

With reference to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the integrally molded tamper-prom cover of the present invention shown in place on a valved dispenser;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a core pin to be employed with split mold valves (not shown) in molding the tamper-proof cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the intermediate tear strip torn from between the cap and base members of the integrally molded cover; and

FIG. 4 is an elevational view, partially in section, of the cap member inserted and secured within the base member after tearing and removing the tear. strip.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate likeor cor-responding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a fiuid' directing valve assembly, generally designated a. The

fluid directing valve assembly a is of conventional construction. It is mounted within the mouth of the container b by a sealedly crimped. upper rim 0 of a conventional mounting cup a. The valve assembly a extends outwardly of the'top of the container b and forms a fluid directing nozzle forfluent materials being discharged from the container in A cover 10, which isparticularly useful in conjunctionwith the conventional valved dispenser, is shown mounted onto the rim-cot the mounting cup. This cover- 10 is preferably molded of a relatively resilient plastic material such as polyethylene and consists of a generally ring-like base member 12, a hollow cap member 14, and an integral tear strip-disposed intermediate-the base member 1 -2 and the cap member 14-.

The base member 12 is adapted to be attached to the container 6 circumjacent the valve assembly a. In this manner of attachment the-cover it sealedly encloses the outwardly extending portions of the valve assembly a.

Referring more specifically to the base member 12, it may beseen that it is generally ring-like in appearance when separated (see FIG. 3). has a central. body portion ld which includes a generally cylindrical inner wall 20 which defines a central bore 22' and whose lower end terminates in an annular rim 24. The annular rim 24 is adapted to fit withinthe mounting cup d.

An outer flange portion 26- 'has an-annular, radially outer edgebent downwardly, to form an. inverted, substantially 'U-shaped channel 218 which grasps the mounting cup rim 0. The top surface 30 of the flange portion 26. is substantiallyflat and extends radially inward to theinner wall 2d to terminateat the lower annular margin of the tear strip 16. i

In this manner there isachieved a resilient and sealed engagement between the basemember 12 and the rim c of the mounting cup. d. d in 'thismanner a very tight connection is made between the base member '12 and the container 22. The connection is not only mechanically tight to prevent relative movement between the base member 12. and the container [1, but it is. also preferably airtight to protect.

the. valve assembly. a from any possible contamination.

The inner wall Ell-of the ring-like base member 12 is provided with bayonet-slots, generally designated 32'. The locking portions of these slots are cam-like downwardly presented arcuate shoulders 34 which slope slightly downward from the entrant openings thereafter described. The cam-like shoulders 34 are cut back from the inner wall 20 of the central body portion 18. They extend arcuately for approximately 70 and are disposed intermediate the top surface 30 and the lower annular rim 24 of the base member 12. Within the angular extent of the arcs of the shoulders 34 and extending downward to the lower annular rim 24, the central body portion is of enlarged inside diameter, providing bottomless bayonet lug accommodating recesses 36. In the illustrative embodiment there are two of such bayonet-slots shown, it being understood that any number greater than two may be employed where desirable.

The base member i2;

By engaging. the mounting cupcap member14 adjacent the lower end 40 has a cylindrical wall whose outside diameter is such as to insure a close slideable fit within the base member central bore 22.

Equi-angularly disposed about the outer surface of cylindrical wall portion 44 are projecting bayonet lugs 46; their angular intervals correspond to the entrant opening spacing about the central body portion 18 of the base member 12. They project outward radial distances that insure a tight, slideable fit against the entrant openings and recess walls. The cylindrical wall portion 44 of the cap member 14 may be inserted within the central bore 22 by passing the bayonet lugs 46 downward through the entrant openings 38; twisting the cap member 14-will cause the upper surfaces of the bayonet lugs 46 to follow the downwardly sloping cam-likeshoulders 34. 'By interengagement of the bayonet lugs 46 and the cam-like shoulders 34, the cap member 14 is drawn downward and secured to the base member 12.

Spaced from the open lower end 40 of the cap member 14 and immediately adjacent to cylindrical wall portion 44 is an outwardly extending annular shoulder 48. The shoulder 48 is of greater diameter than the cylindrical inner wall 20 of the base member 12. Proper spacing of the bayonet lugs 46 below this annular shoulder allows it to be drawn tightly against the top surface 30 of the base member 12 when the cap is drawn downward and secured in the base member 12. V

A plurality of longitudinal ribs 50 extend between the annular shoulder 48 and the closed upper end 42 of the cap member 14. These ribs 50 serve to support the annular shoulder 48 and to strengthen the outer portion of the cap member 14, as well as providing attractive means for gripping the cap member.

Integral with the base and cap members and disposed intermediate, them is an annular, easily removed tear strip 16. The tear strip is disposed between the cap and base members at a slight sloping angle; and extends from an upper edge margin 52, at the lower edge of the cap cylindrical wall portion 44, downward and outward to a lower edge margin 54, at the top surface 30 of the base member 12. In order to facilitate the tearing out of the tear strip 16 for initial removal of the cap member 14, the upper and lower edge margins 52 and 54 respectively are greatly. reduced in thickness or otherwise weakened.

Along the lower edge margin 54 and at intervals which correspond to the spacing of the entrant openings 38 are fiangible web-like portions 58. These web-like portions 58 extend radially outward as an integral portion of the top surface 30 of the base member 12 and cover the entrant openings 38. Each of the Web-like portions 58 has margins 60 of reduced thickness at the intersection with the top surface 30.

"Anoutwardly extending graspable tongue 56 is molded integrally with the tear strip 16. At one side of the junction of the tongue 56 and the central portion of the tear strip 16, a thin rupturable area 57 is provided to initiate the tearing out, which then proceeds along the reduced thickness margins 52, 54, 60. Thus, when the tongue 56 is pulled, the tear strip 16 completely separates from the base and cap members 12, 14 and removes the, weblike portions 58 from above the entrant openings 38. This removal of portions 58 permits the bayonet lugs 46 to be readily inserted to the entrant openings 38 and rotated into the recesses 36 along the cam-like shoulders 34.

The core pin, generally designated 62 is shown in FIG. 2 with its various portions numbered with prime numbers to correspond to those numbered portionsof the V 4 V cover 10 which are formed around it. As may be readily seen, the core pin 62 is of the progressively stepped-back type; that is, it can be removed from the cover 10 after the plastic molding operation without twisting. There are no undercuts required in molding the unique bayonetslots 32as would be the case if thread-like securement provisions were employed.

After the tear strip 16 and web-like portions 58 have been removed, as described hereinabove, (see FIG. 3), the bayonet lugs 46 of the cap member 14 may be in serted through the entrant openings 38. Upon twisting the cap member 14 the bayonet lugs follow the cam-like shoulders 34 to secure the cap member 14 within the central bore 22 of the base member 12 (see FIG. 4). So positioned, cap 14 is, by the annular shoulder 48, tightly sealed against the top surface 30 of the base member 12.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

I claim:

1. A tamper-proof cover for a'valved dispenser adapted for molding on a progressively stepped-back core, comprising a ring-like base member having a top surface and a generally cylindrical inner wall terminating in a lower central rim,

a bayonet-slot within said inner wall and including a cam-like downwardly presented shoulder and an upwardly extending entrant opening,

, a hollow cap member having an outer cylindrical wall whose diameter is less than that of the inner wall of the base member and having a bayonet lug portion projecting from said outer .cylindrical wall,

an integral tear strip connecting the cap above and to i the base member, the tear strip including a frangible web-like portion extending radially outward there- 'from within the top surface of the base member and there covering said entrant opening,

,whereby upon removal of the tear strip the web-like portion covering the entrant'opening is removed, thus permitting the bayonet lug portion of the cap to engage the bayonet slot of the base.

2. A tamper-proof cover for a container having a mouth and a fluid directing valve mounted in and extending outwardly therefrom, said cover being adapted for plastic molding on a progressively steppedaback core and comprising a ring-like base member having'means for attachment to the mouth of the container circumjacent said valve and a cylindrical inner wall delimiting a bore ex- 7 tending from a top surface of said base member to a lower central rim thereof, a hollow cap member having a cylindrical outer wall portion and being closed at its upper end, 5 a tear strip integral with and disposed intermediate said base and cap members, said cover characterized by said tearstrip having a lower edge margin including at spaced intervals a plurality of frangible web-like portions extending radially outward and integral with said top surface of said base member, said base member inner cylindrical wall having a plurality of cam-like shoulders intermediate said top surface and lower central rim and presented downward whereby to provide a plurality of bayonet lug accommodating recesses which extend from said shoulders to said centralrim of said base member, said base member inner cylindrical wall further having 7 entrant openings extending upward from said recesses to terminate beneath said frangible web-like portions at their upper ends, and

the hollow cap member having a plurality of projecting.

bayonet lugs integral with its said cylindrical wall member and spaced at intervals corresponding to the spacing of said frangible web-like portions,

whereby upon removal of the tear strip, the web-like portions are simultaneously removed to open the entrant openings into the top surface of the base member, thus permitting the projecting bayonet lugs of the cap to enter the base member and engage the bayonet lug accommodating recesses.

3. The tamper-proof cover of claim 2, wherein the outside diameter of said cap member cylindrical wall is of such diameter as to fit slidably within said base member bore, and

said tear strip being slopingly disposed between said cap and base members and extending from an upper edge margin integral with said cylindrical wall of said cap member downward and outward to a lower edge margin integral with said base member top surface.

a hollow cap member closed at its upper end and having :a generally cylindrical wall including a lower end whose outside diameter is such as to fit slid ably within said base member bore, said cap member further having a downwardly presented annular shoulder of greater diameter than said bore diameter and a plurality of projecting bayonet lugs spacedly below said annular shoulder and spaced apart at angular intervals to project radially outward from said cap member, and

360 degree tear strip formed integral with and disposed between said base and cap members, said strip having upper and lower edge margins, each edge 4. The tamper-proof cover of claim 3, wherein said bayonet lug accommodating recesses and said entrant openings in said base member cylindrical wall have the same radial extent, and

said projecting bayonet lugs extend from said cap member cylindrical wall such radial distances as to fit slidably within said recesses and entrant openings.

5. The tamper-proof cover of claim 3, wherein said upper and lower edge margins of said tear strip are of reduced thickness, and

said frangible web-like portions have edge portions of reduced thickness at their intersections with said base member top surface.

6. The tamper-proof cover of claim 5, wherein said tear strip further has an outwardly extending graspable tongue and a reduced thickness portion adjacent to one side of the junction of the tongue with the tear strip.

7. A tamper-proof cover for a container having a mouth and a fluid directing valve mounted in and extend ing outwardly therefrom, said cover being adapted for plastic molding on a progressively stepped-back core and margin being of reduced thickness, the lower edge margin including, at spaced intervals vertically beneath said plurality of lugs, a plurality of frangible web-like portions extending radially outward and formed integral to said base member top surface, said strip sloping downwardly and outwardly from its upper edge margin to its lower edge margin, and each web-like portion having reduced thickness margins at its intersection with said base member top surface,

said base member cylindrical wall further having a plurality of entrant openings extending upward from said bayonet lug accommodating recesses to terminate beneath said frangible web-like portions, said entrant openings and bayonet lug accommodating recesses being of the same radial extent in said base member cylindrical wall and said projecting bayonet lugs. having such radial length as to fit slidably within said recesses and entrant openings.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS u s 174,773 3/76 Brooke 215-50 a ring-like base member having means for sealed attachment t0 the mouth of the container circumjacent FOREIGN PATENTS said valve and a cylindrical wall delimiting a bore 1,136,987 5/57 France. extending through said base member from a top 562,640 5/57 Italy.

surface to a central lower rim thereof, said cylindrical wall having a plurality of downwardly pre- LOUIS DEMBO, Primary Examiner- 

1. A TAMPER-PROOF COVER FOR A VALVED DISPENSER ADAPTED FOR MOLDING ON A PROGRESSIVELY STEPPED-BACK CORE, COMPRISING A RING-LIKE BASE MEMBER HAVING A TOP SURFACE AND A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL INNER WALL TERMINATING IN A LOWER CENTRAL RIM, A BAYONET-SLOT WITHIN SAID INNER WALL AND INCLUDING A CAM-LIKE DOWNWARDLY PRESENTED SHOULDER AND AN UPWARDLY EXTENDING ENTRANT OPENING, A HOLLOW CAP MEMBER HAVING AN OUTER CYLINDRICAL WALL WHOSE DIAMETER IS LESS THAN THAT OF THE INNER WALL OF THE BASE MEMBER AND HAVING A BAYONET LUG PORTION PROJECTING FROM SAID OUTER CYLINDRICAL WALL, AN INTEGRAL TEAR STRIP CONNECTING THE CAP ABOVE AND TO THE BASE MEMBER, THE TEAR STRIP INCLUDING A FRANGIBLE WEB-LIKE PORTION EXTENDING RADIALLY OUTWARD THEREFROM WITHIN THE TOP SURFACE OF THE BASE MEMBER AND THERE COVERING SAID ENTRANT OPENING, WHEREBY UPON REMOVAL OF THE TEAR STRIP THE WEB-LIKE PORTION COVERING THE ENTRANT OPENING IS REMOVED, THUS PERMITTING THE BAYONET LUG PORTION OF THE CAP TO ENGAGE THE BAYONET SLOT OF THE BASE. 